Biodiversity Lab : Using the Simpson's Diversity Index
The class met on Sunday Sept 25, 2011 in White Park. The goal of this activity was to teach some techniques of sampling used in ecological studies. The followup activities will help students become aware of how species diversities are calculated.
In the space below fill in the data from your area. Each of the four areas will need its own data table. I will make one data table. Be sure to copy it before you start to fill it. That way there will always be a clean table!

What was your location?

Location Plant Data


Location: Wooded Hillside
Description of Morphotype
Id of Species
Number of that species represented
Big leafs, about 10 cm

2
5'2" green plant with lots
of small leaves.

1
Small yellow white puffball
fungus

1























Description of Morphotype
Id of Species
Number of that species represented
Small plant with many small green leaves.
about 6"

2
Green moss

1
Brown moss on fallen branch

1























Description of Morphotype
Id of Species
Number of that species represented
6" plant, with 3 pronged green leaves.

4
12" leafy plant with blue
tinted, white flowers near the plant's top

3
6" plant with dropy, long thin leaves.
small yellow flower petals near the top

3

























Location: Unmowed Field
Plot 1:
Description of Morphotype
Id of Species
Number of that species represented
Wooded weed, brownish red stem
with green leaves, about 1 meter tall

1
Dry, Gray/Brown Grass- Small Pods/
Seeds spaced out
Ragweed
20 per 10 cm^2
Grass- Standard Green Grass

10 per 10 cm^2
Small, maple leaves, green and red
Red maple
1
Crab grass- green
Crab grass
6
Dandelions- Green stems, jagged leaves
yellow flowers
Dandelion
17
Thicker woody grass competely
covered in seeds
Plantain
12
Mini daisies- white with yellow middle

3
Sprouts- green tear drop shaped leaves,
with stems

3
Bigger leaves than sprouts, same shape
but no stems

15

Plot 2:
Description of Morphotype
Id of Species
Number of that species represented
White Pine- about 8 cm tall, green needles
white pine
2
Fan like plant shaped clovers, yellow/ green

29
Clovers- Green

4
Dry, Gray/Brown Grass- Small Pods/ Seeds
spaced out
Ragweed
20 per 10 cm^2
Small, maple leaves, green and red
Red Maple
4
Thicker woody grass completely covered
in seeds
Plantain
4
Dandelions- Green stems, jagged leaves,
yellow flowers
Dandelion
6
Grass- Standard Green Grass

10 per 10 cm^2




Plot 3:
Description of Morphotype
Id of Species
Number of that species represented
Golden Rod- Green stems and leaves with
dried yellow flower clumps
Golden rod
5
Flowers- budded dried, a little like ragweed

1
White pine- green needles
White pine
1
Dry, Gray/Brown Grass- Small Pods/Seeds
spaced out
Ragweed
6 per 10 cm^2
Grass- Standard Green Grass

20 per 10 cm^2
Small maple leaves, green and red
Red maple
4
Dandelions- Green stems, jagged leaves,
yellow flowers
Dandelions
8
Thicker woody grass completely covered in
seeds
Plantain
3








Location: Baseball Field


Plot 1: Diamond

Description of Morphotype
Id of Species
Number of that species represented
Green, trim, 5mm tall
Reg. Grass
Constant, approx. 40,000 blades
Thick, tufts, seeded
Grass w/ Seeds
20 blades in clumps


























Plot 2: Dugout

Description of Morphotype
Id of Species
Number of that species represented
Thin, light grass, tall
Thin grass
30,000 blades
Thick, short blades
Thick grass
10,000 blades

























Plot 3: Home Plate

Description of Morphotype
Id of Species
Number of that species represented
Thick, flat, dark
Thick grass
35,000 blades
Thin, tall, light
Thin grass
5,000 blades
Tallest, leaves, seeds
Seed Grass
10 blades
Ultra light, tall, leaves
Leaf Grass
1 Clump